The man who is accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday was charged on Monday with attempting to assassinate President Trump.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, appeared in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Monday for his arraignment. He faces three criminal charges, including attempting to assassinate the president, discharging a firearm during a violent crime and transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony. He has not entered a plea. U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered him detained as the case moves forward.
Footage from the scene showed an armed suspect rushing a security checkpoint at the event, where he opened fire, prompting the evacuation of the president and first lady Melania Trump. Law enforcement officials later identified the suspect as Allen, of Torrance, Calif. He was carrying a shotgun and a handgun as well as knives.
President Trump said he “wasn’t worried” when asked about the incident during an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes on Sunday.
“I wasn’t worried,” Trump said. “I understand life. We live in a crazy world.”
Allen reportedly referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” in a 1,052-word document he sent to family members about 10 minutes before Saturday’s shooting, and ranked potential targets in order of priority. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday that Trump and administration officials were the likely targets.
The president also pushed back against 60 Minutes anchor Norah O’Donnell for reading out parts of the alleged shooter’s writings. “I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because you’re horrible people. Horrible people,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the United States this week will proceed as planned despite security concerns raised by Saturday’s shooting. The royals are expected to arrive at the White House for a garden party on Monday afternoon, the first stop on their four-day trip.
Dylan Stableford
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, Calif., the alleged gunman in Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, has been charged with the attempted assassination of President Trump.
Allen appeared in a Washington, D.C., federal court on Monday. He was also charged with discharging a firearm during a violent crime and transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony.
He did not enter a plea.
Allen was ordered held pending a pretrial detention hearing, which is scheduled for April 30.
